On behalf of Main Street Animal Hospital we would like to welcome your new addition to our Clinic family!
As a new puppy owner, it is recommended that you booster your puppy three times in the first year and, after a year of age, annually. Our general protocol at Main Street Animal Hospital is as follows:
8 weeks of age: Comprehensive physical exam and Distemper/Parvovirus booster vaccination. It is also recommended that a fecal sample is tested for internal parasites.
12 weeks of age: Comprehensive physical exam and Distemper/Parvovirus booster vaccination. A Leptospirosis vaccine is also optional at this time and it will be discussed with your veterinarian.
16 weeks of age: Comprehensive physical exam and Distemper/Parvovirus booster vaccination +/- a Leptospirosis booster vaccine. A Bordetella vaccine for Kennel Cough will also be discussed at this time. A Rabies vaccine will also be given.
5-6 months of age: We recommend that your pet be spayed or neutered at this time. This will be discussed in detail during one of your puppy visits.
Annual vaccinations are required following the last puppy booster. A comprehensive annual exam will be done at each annual visit. At this time heartworm testing and medication will also be discussed.
Socializing Your Puppy
Your puppy will go through a socialization period from 3 weeks old to 14 months. This means that you have roughly a year of critical training ahead. Proper socialization can prevent many severe behavioral problems in dogs, and so it should be one of your top priorities when you bring home your puppy.
Canine socialization: This stage occurs between the ages of 3-7 weeks and usually take place at the breeders of home where the puppy was born. The puppies socialize with each other with in the litter and learn bite inhibition.
Human socialization: Between 7-12 weeks old. At this point your puppies' mental abilities are fully formed but they lack experience, so it is up to us to introduce then to new people and teach them how to interact properly. This time is also a perfect time to handle your puppy's feet and mouth. If your puppy is used to being handled in that way and it is a positive experience it will make it easier for your veterinarian to examine teeth and trim nails in the future.
Fear imprint stage 1: This is the age where our socialization stages blur together. This first stage of fearing what they don't understand falls between the ages of 8-12 weeks. This is the stage that your puppy will be the most fearful of new things. It is important to make every experience positive and fun so we can try to prevent fear from happening. If your puppy reacts in a fearful manner remove them from the situation and try again.
Fear imprint stage 2: This stage occurs when your pet is 6-14 months old and is very similar to the first stage of Fear Imprinting. The only difference between the two is that your puppy will begin to show aggression. During this time, it is important to never leave your pet in situations that may be perceived as scary (examples include boarding, traveling etc.). It is also very important for owners to understand the difference between socialization and exposure. The difference between the two is developing that positive link between your puppy and the stimulus or environment. Patience is key!
Information Regarding Nutrition
When choosing a food for your puppy, there are some things to take into consideration. For example, a St. Bernard puppy will not need the same diet as a Chihuahua. A general life stage diet does not have the proper balance of vitamins and minerals that your growing puppy needs. The following are some key aspects that a pet owner should look for in a diet for the newest member of their family:
1. Has the diet that you've chosen gone through food trials? This information is easily obtainable and the company producing the food should be able to provide proof should you wish it.
2. Does this food meet the standard requirements for breed and life stage of your puppy? Discussing this with your veterinary healthcare team will allow you to understand what your growing puppy needs from their diet.
3. DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): contributes to the development of your puppies' brain and nervous system. This is an important supplement to have in your pet's food as this is the time when you will be training your puppy and enrolling them in puppy classes etc.
4. Highly digestible proteins and fibers. This reduced the amount of food your puppy will need without taking away from the energy requirements your puppy needs. This will also make house training easier due to a decrease in the waste produced by your puppy.
If at any time you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members.
If you are ever experiencing an emergency outside of our regular business hours please contact The Emergency Clinic of Waterloo Region at 519-650-1617, located at 405 Maple Grv Rd, Unit 14, Cambridge ON N3E 1B6
Attached are some of helpful websites for more information!
General Pet Care Information:
https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/
https://www.petsandparasites.org/
Nutrition:
http://www.royalcanin.com/ca/en_ca/dogs
https://www.hillspet.com/new-pet-parent/dog
Pet Insurance:
https://trupanion.com/canada
https://www.ovmapetinsurance.com/
https://www.petsplusus.com
As a new puppy owner, it is recommended that you booster your puppy three times in the first year and, after a year of age, annually. Our general protocol at Main Street Animal Hospital is as follows:
8 weeks of age: Comprehensive physical exam and Distemper/Parvovirus booster vaccination. It is also recommended that a fecal sample is tested for internal parasites.
12 weeks of age: Comprehensive physical exam and Distemper/Parvovirus booster vaccination. A Leptospirosis vaccine is also optional at this time and it will be discussed with your veterinarian.
16 weeks of age: Comprehensive physical exam and Distemper/Parvovirus booster vaccination +/- a Leptospirosis booster vaccine. A Bordetella vaccine for Kennel Cough will also be discussed at this time. A Rabies vaccine will also be given.
5-6 months of age: We recommend that your pet be spayed or neutered at this time. This will be discussed in detail during one of your puppy visits.
Annual vaccinations are required following the last puppy booster. A comprehensive annual exam will be done at each annual visit. At this time heartworm testing and medication will also be discussed.
Socializing Your Puppy
Your puppy will go through a socialization period from 3 weeks old to 14 months. This means that you have roughly a year of critical training ahead. Proper socialization can prevent many severe behavioral problems in dogs, and so it should be one of your top priorities when you bring home your puppy.
Canine socialization: This stage occurs between the ages of 3-7 weeks and usually take place at the breeders of home where the puppy was born. The puppies socialize with each other with in the litter and learn bite inhibition.
Human socialization: Between 7-12 weeks old. At this point your puppies' mental abilities are fully formed but they lack experience, so it is up to us to introduce then to new people and teach them how to interact properly. This time is also a perfect time to handle your puppy's feet and mouth. If your puppy is used to being handled in that way and it is a positive experience it will make it easier for your veterinarian to examine teeth and trim nails in the future.
Fear imprint stage 1: This is the age where our socialization stages blur together. This first stage of fearing what they don't understand falls between the ages of 8-12 weeks. This is the stage that your puppy will be the most fearful of new things. It is important to make every experience positive and fun so we can try to prevent fear from happening. If your puppy reacts in a fearful manner remove them from the situation and try again.
Fear imprint stage 2: This stage occurs when your pet is 6-14 months old and is very similar to the first stage of Fear Imprinting. The only difference between the two is that your puppy will begin to show aggression. During this time, it is important to never leave your pet in situations that may be perceived as scary (examples include boarding, traveling etc.). It is also very important for owners to understand the difference between socialization and exposure. The difference between the two is developing that positive link between your puppy and the stimulus or environment. Patience is key!
Information Regarding Nutrition
When choosing a food for your puppy, there are some things to take into consideration. For example, a St. Bernard puppy will not need the same diet as a Chihuahua. A general life stage diet does not have the proper balance of vitamins and minerals that your growing puppy needs. The following are some key aspects that a pet owner should look for in a diet for the newest member of their family:
1. Has the diet that you've chosen gone through food trials? This information is easily obtainable and the company producing the food should be able to provide proof should you wish it.
2. Does this food meet the standard requirements for breed and life stage of your puppy? Discussing this with your veterinary healthcare team will allow you to understand what your growing puppy needs from their diet.
3. DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): contributes to the development of your puppies' brain and nervous system. This is an important supplement to have in your pet's food as this is the time when you will be training your puppy and enrolling them in puppy classes etc.
4. Highly digestible proteins and fibers. This reduced the amount of food your puppy will need without taking away from the energy requirements your puppy needs. This will also make house training easier due to a decrease in the waste produced by your puppy.
If at any time you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members.
If you are ever experiencing an emergency outside of our regular business hours please contact The Emergency Clinic of Waterloo Region at 519-650-1617, located at 405 Maple Grv Rd, Unit 14, Cambridge ON N3E 1B6
Attached are some of helpful websites for more information!
General Pet Care Information:
https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/
https://www.petsandparasites.org/
Nutrition:
http://www.royalcanin.com/ca/en_ca/dogs
https://www.hillspet.com/new-pet-parent/dog
Pet Insurance:
https://trupanion.com/canada
https://www.ovmapetinsurance.com/
https://www.petsplusus.com